How to Control Drunk Guests at Your Wedding

From choosing the wedding dress, caterer and creating a guest list, there are a lot of hassles that go into your wedding day. After months planning, your big day arrives. You’ve said “I do”, the cake has been cut and now it’s time to let loose and celebrate. That’s when things start getting crazy. For the most part everyone is just having a good time. But what do you do if someone is having too much of a good time? Here are some tips on how to handle out of control guests at your wedding.

STEP 1: PREVENTION

You know that your guests will be drinking. Do your best to stop them from having one too many in the first place.

Skip the all-night open bar. Set a time limit. Guests will still enjoy the free libations, yet they will be more aware of how much they are drinking simply because they will have to keep reaching into their pocketbook.

Limit the type of alcohol served. Mixed drinks are absorbed into the bloodstream much quicker than beer or wine. Limit your selection to various beers and wines. This will slow down the speed of inebriation.

Know your guests. Chances are that you have a pretty good short-list of guests who pose a potential threat to become out of control drunks. Personally approach them early in the celebration and ask them to do you a special wedding favor. Acknowledge that you know they like to have a good time, but that you ask them to take it easy for the night. Make sure you also give them the game plan for if he or she were to become out of control. Many guests (especially friends and family) will feel more responsible if they know there will be consequences at the end of the night.

Instruct the bartender to not serve inebriated guests. Place signs at the bar that states, “At the couple’s request, the bartender will not serve alcohol to guests who show signs of excessive inebriation”. Also, bear in mind that many cities have ordinances that could result in steep fines for anyone who serves intoxicated people. Skipping this step could lead to liability issues for the wedding hosts!

Pre-Appoint a “Bouncer”. Designate a member of the wedding party to keep an eye out for guests who are starting to get out of control. This sets a clear contingency plan for when a guest does become out of control. More importantly, having a “bouncer” will free up the newlyweds to enjoy a stress-free celebration.

STEP 2: RESOLUTION

Despite all your planning and prevention, with an environment of alcohol consumption, odds are still in the favor of having at least one out of control guest. While these people can be responsible for some humorous and memorable moments, they also pose a huge liability. Out of control behavior can make other guests uncomfortable and be a danger to both themselves and other guests. It is important that your “bouncer” actively attempts to resolve this tricky situation.

Cut them off. Offer the guest free sodas for the rest of event. It would also be a good idea to give them food. Your “bouncer” may need to remind them about the newlywed’s expectations of their guests at their party. By putting the focus on the bride and groom it helps take criticism off of the guest.

Take their keys. If there is no chance of sobering up, be responsible and make sure the keys are taken away. Arrange for someone to bring them home or call a cab. It would also be helpful to prepare a method of automobile recovery the next day. Anything you can do to make it easier on your guest to leave safely is a good idea.

Do not criticize the guest. Having an annoying, loud and obnoxious guest is one thing, but an angry guest is entirely different. You don’t want to escalate things. Be kind and act strictly out of concern for the bride and groom’s big day. If all your efforts and kindness just doesn’t work…

Do not be afraid to call for police.
Your wedding day is meant to be a special day full of lasting memories. With a little planning and caution, those memories won’t have to include undue stress or incident due to drunkenness.